Having held the position of music director for the longest period of time in the 40 year history of the Prince George Symphony Orchestra, Leslie Dala has announced his retirement effective the end of this season.
Dala, who has been with the Prince George Symphony Orchestra for eight years, and is also the associate conductor and chorus director of the Vancouver Opera and music director of the Vancouver Bach Choir and principal conductor of the Vancouver Academy Orchestra will resign at the end of the 2010/11 season.
In a letter written to the board of directors of the symphony, Dala said he was having a hard time juggling all his work obligations.
"It is not without sadness that I have decided to step down," Dala said in his letter. "I feel that I have developed a strong bond with the musicians of the PGSO and I have greatly enjoyed working with them over the past eight years. We have faced a number of challenges throughout this period but we somehow always carried on and tried to do our best in serving the community with beautiful music. I am grateful to the musicians, board members, management, volunteers and especially our audience who supported us over the years. I wish the PGSO great future success and I feel very fortunate and proud to have played a role in its development."
The search for Dala's replacement is already underway with several people expressing interest in the position, said a recent news release. The directors will short-list applicants at the end of January and start scheduling concert auditions with as many as four guest conductors on stage next year.
"The PGSO has benefited greatly over the past eight years from Les' dedicated service and artistic vision," said Jim Caldwell, board co-chair. "He has brought a high level of excellence to the performances and a stimulating and varied repertoire."
Dala's final concert with the PGSO will take place when he conducts a Chorfest B.C. event where a mass choir will join the symphony for a show called O is for Opera at the Civic Centre in May, 2011.
